Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced livelihood support package for farmers, people depending upon animal husbandry, fisheries, and other sectors affected by Cyclone Bulbul.
The Chief Minister announced the package following a meeting with District Collectors through video conferencing at the Lok Seva Bhawan here today.
Earlier in the afternoon, the Chief Minister had undertaken an aerial survey of the affected areas.
Six coastal districts of Bhadrak, Balasore, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, and Mayurbhanj have suffered extensive damage under the impact of Cyclone Bulbul.
Here are the package details.
Agriculture Sector: Agriculture input subsidy will be provided to the small and marginal farmers who have sustained crop loss of 33% and above @Rs 6,800 per hectare of land in rainfed/non irrigated areas, Rs 13,500 per hectare of land in areas under assured irrigation, and Rs 18,000 per hectare for all types of perennial crops. Perennial crops will include mango, cashew, coconut, betel vine, etc. The assistance shall be provided to the actual cultivators.
Agricultural input subsidy to any affected farmer shall not be less than Rs 2,000 for perennial crops and Rs 1,000 for other crops. As many as 50,000 seed minikits of Pulses and Oilseeds shall be supplied to the affected farmers during Rabi 2019-20. Demonstration programmes of different crops will be taken up in 45,000 acres in affected districts in the Rabi season.
As many as 3,000 farmers in the cyclone-affected areas will get sprayers at a subsidy of 50% limited to a maximum of Rs 3800 for battery operated sprayers and Rs.750 for hand-operated sprayers.
Affected farmers will be supplied with 10,000 nos. of Vegetable Minikits during Rabi 2019-20.
An incentive of Rs 15,000 per farmer will be provided to 30 units for repair and renovation of Betel Vine cultivation (Pan Baraja).
Rs 40,000 per Unit will be provided for repair and renovation of Shade Net / thatched structure for restoration of Mushroom Units to 50 units.
Immediate steps will be taken to arrange and distribute quality seeds and other inputs in sufficient quantity for the Rabi season.
Expeditious steps will be taken to conduct crop cutting experiments to settle the claims of the affected insured farmers under crop insurance schema, PMFBY, with risks of localized calamity and mid-season adversity as per revised Operational Guideline of the scheme.
Farm Credit: Short Term Rabi Loans advanced in the affected areas during Rabi 2019 having crop loss of 33% and above shall be converted into Medium Term (Conversion) Loans.
Animal Resources Development Sector: Assistance to farmers for replacement of animals – Assistance shall be provided towards loss of animals @Rs 30,000 per milch cow and buffalo, Rs 25,000 per draught animal (upto 3 animals), Rs 16,000 per calf (upto 6 animals), Rs 3,000 per goat/ sheep (upto 30 animals), Rs 50 per poultry bird (maximum Rs.5,000).
Fisheries sector: Assistance to the Fishermen for loss/ damage of Boat & Net: Financial assistance @ Rs 4,100 for repair of partially damaged boats, Rs 2,100 for repair of partially damaged net, Rs 9,600 for replacement of fully damaged boat and Rs,2,600 for replacement of fully damaged net will be provided to the affected fishermen.
Assistance for repair of Fish Farms/ Fish Seed Farms: Financial assistance of Rs12,200 per ha. shall be provided for de-silting, restoration of fish farms. Input subsidy @Rs.8,200 per ha. shall be provided for damaged fish seed farms.
